To remove mothball odor from an old trunk use cheap coffee. Just put it in a nylon that you tie or just sprinkle into the trunk. I did this to a 1800 trunk that even smelled up glassware. It really works.
Source: A friend
By Barbara from Greenback, TN
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I've inherited a chest of drawers and matching bureau from my mother. The interior and drawers stink. I'm at a loss as to what the odor is much less how to get rid of it.
The odor reminds me of Estee Lauder's Youth Dew perfume with a sharp vinegary overtone. I've tried cedar eggs, mothballs, potpourri, bleach, and fabric softener (liquid and dryer sheets).
Does anyone have any idea what might work to kill the odor? I'm handicapped and on a limited budget, so I could really use a great home remedy that is very easy to use. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
By Susan from Brentwood, NY
Try cleaning the inside of the drawers with Murphy's Oil Soap which leaves a nice scent behind. In a large bowl use about 1/4 to 1/2 capful of the liquid with warm water. Dip your cleaning rag in the water, wring it out and wipe away inside and out.
I would try to polycoat the inside of the drawers if they are natural, if they are painted I would repaint them. This should "seal the odor in" as opposed trying to remove it.
I've used the sun to get rid of odors from a trunk. Just place in strong sunlight. Don't let the furniture get wet at all and check often so the finish will stay OK. I have also read that charcoal, crumbled newspapers, and cat litter help.
I know this sounds silly but it works! Pour fresh (unused) kitty litter in the drawers. Wait a few days and the odor will be gone. I used this technique to remove odors from wooden cheese boxes.
PS keep the cats away while waiting or you will have a bigger issue! Sherielu
Put an open small bag of charcoal that you grill with in the drawers and forget about it for about a week or longer. Amazingly the charcoal will absorb the orders then throw them away.
Place a slice of lemon on a saucer or bicarbonate of soda in the drawer and it will absorb the odor.
This works every time! Line the drawers with a couple sheets of newspaper and put 1/2 cup unused coffee grounds over the paper. Shut the drawers for a week. Voila! No more odor.
I have an old "steamer" style trunk. It belonged to my mother and even though it hasn't had moth balls in it for over 30 years it still stinks! I use it for some storage, but had not gone into it for over a year, and was just overwhelmed by the smell. I do have cedar chunks in there and have tried Fabreeze but to no avail. If I can't get rid of the smell I am going to have to get rid of it and I don't want to do that. Any suggestions?
To remove any smell the best thing I have found is baking soda. Sprinkle it on and let it sit. You may have to repeat several times.
1. coffee grounds
2. charcoal
3. kitty litter
4. newspaper
Leave in for as long as it takes.
I have 3 antique chests that I inherited. Each one had at least 3 bags of mothballs that had nearly disinigrated over about 60 years of storing things in them. How do I get rid of the strong mothballs smell? My daughter is an asthmatic as well.
Put several plates of Arm and Hammer in it, and close the lid for a week. Open your chest, empty plates and replace with new A & H (yellow box). Try 2-3 times.
Sherry
I have excellent results with removing odors from different things by putting fresh coffee grounds (right from the bag or can) put into a shallow dish and let set for a week, may have to stir up coffee and let set longer or even get fresh and put in, may take some time but I think it will work. I hate moth balls, am allergic to them so know how how they can effect your daughter.
We acquired an old trunk that was very musty smelling, after trying several things I got the 'bright' idea of putting moth balls in it! I stored pictures and picture albums in there, and now everything smells like moth balls, oh to have that 'musty' smell back again!
Is there something I can do to get rid of that moth ball smell now? We recently moved to WA state and I have the albums on a shelf in the office, and the smell just won't go away. Help!There is a product called OZIUM. It comes small thin canister. I have found it in hardware stores. 1 or 2 squirts a day in the room with "smelly" objects and eventually, after just a few days you will notice the odor is gone. Don't spray on the objects and read the warnings. (It is bad for pets and people with breathing problems) use sparingly! it does work
I bought an old dresser once and it had a musty smell. Try setting a container of fresh ground coffee in it for a few days. It worked for me.
How do I get the moth ball smell out of a recliner?
My MIL gave me a bed cover set that was moth ball awful. I put it in the back yard for several days -- did nothing; then I sprayed with Febreeze -- did a little; then I sprayed with a product called Odo-Ban. I also dampened a towel with the Odo-Ban and put all in the dryer and ran it for a while. That worked.
I need the most updated best way to get rid of moth ball odors in footlockers/trunks. I am interested in either a product or home remedy.
Try a spray of 50/50 water and white vinegar, then leave it to ventilate
A friend gave me her old mattress and box spring, which has been stored in a building filled with mothballs. I've been working on it for weeks now and still can't quite get rid of that nasty stench, and it's spread to my room!
How can I get rid of it once and for all? Please help!Try putting some straight vinegar in a spray/mist bottle and spray the mattress and box springs well with it (on all sides). You may also want to invest in a plastic mattress pillow (like ama tress pad, but it also covers the bottom of the mattress as well--often people use it for keeping bedbugs out of mattresses. Try to either keep the windows open or a fan on in that room to help the smell escape outside.
Nok-Out got rave reviews from Mary Hunt, and is available on Amazon.
1) Lay your mattress in the sun.
2) Spray it with Febreze until it is damp and let it dry. Repeat as necessary.
3) Use baking soda. Sprinkle a thin layer on your mattress, let it sit for a while and then vacuum it.
Of course, sunshine and fresh air are the best remedies but a mattress and box springs may be difficult to do this. If possible though, no matter what else you try, fresh air (open house/windows) is a good thing.
I would try to stay away from fine powders as these linger a long time and it is not good to breath these. Have you tried vacuuming your mattress (mattress will hold more odor than box springs)? Many of the bigger thrift stores use a steam cleaner (like is used on clothing - bigger one and not hand held) and this works pretty good. You just have to use it wisely and not soak the mattress and it takes a couple of days for it to thoroughly dry.
Tried everything? Sprinkle coffee grounds between the mattress and box springs. Newspaper is also good but it may leave news print/ink stains/smudges.
Nok-Out is really good but it is kinda expensive but it is probably worth it.
It's called Nok-Out. Here's a link to their site with info on removing moth ball odor.
www.nokout.com/
I couldn't find anything called Not-out on Amazon. What is it?
It's Nok-Out, there was a typo. I've fixed it above.
Here is a link on Amazon for the product.
www.amazon.com/
I bought a used leather chair, under a year old, 2 days ago. It looks great, but smells horribly of mothballs. I just thought it was the lady packing up that was creating the mothball smell. Since getting it home, I have used Zorbx, Fabreze (made it worse), leather cleaner, 3 washings with vinegar and water, and now am using newspaper, with baking soda on top.
I cleaned the whole underneath the same way I cleaned the rest of the chair. The smell is still there. Is this a lost cause? It is a nice chair and I hate to donate or throw it out. I have quite an aversion to smells so even cleaning it with vinegar is challenging. Any suggestions?Baking soda, activated charcoal, coffee grounds and white vinegar absorb odors. Try airing it out outdoors also. At least for 24 hours if you're able.
There is a highly rated product called Nok-Out, which is available on Amazon. It removes the smells, not just covers them up.
I have tried baking soda and have washed it down 5 times now with vinegar and water (equal parts). While it has reduced it some, it is still very much smelling like moth balls. Thanks.
My wife just got a nice bed given to her, but the mattress smells of moth balls. Can any one please help us get rid of the moth ball smell on it? Thank you very much.
By Jim S.
It takes awhile for the mothball smell to air out. If possible, let it sit in the sun and fresh air for a day or two. If not, keep sheets off of it so it can air out.
Nok Out is recommended by Mary Hunt to get rid of unwanted odors for good
How do I remove moth ball smell from my dinette set that is metal with cloth seats?
By Pat V from Toledo, OH
Every time I have used mothballs I have let the items air out good and the smell is usually gone in a few days to a few weeks. Give the chairs lots of fresh air--put outside for a bit if possible.
Use Febreze or Knock-Out
I had to get rid of a completely finished wood storage chest that had wools and moth balls in it because of lingering odor, 2 years after emptying it. The clothes put in it afterward got smelly after a month.
I have the same problem with unfinished (oak and luan) dresser drawers. They also were aired out for 2 years. So airing out is not very effective for wood.
Which leaves questions like can it be sealed and with what type of finish? Or washed, with what, etc.? Or is this the end, just get rid of it?
By DB
A friend gave me a wooden head board (unfinished on the back) that reeked of smoke. I put charcoal in to to nylons & hung it behind the head board. Worked like a charm!
How can we get the moth ball smell from a dresser? We have used baking soda, charcoal and any other suggestion. But nothing has worked. Any other ideas?
By Lila
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How do I get rid of moth ball smell in drawers? Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get rid of the moth ball stench?
